Dating couples should wait to have sex because God calls his people to flee sexual immorality, and because sex before marriage actually harms the relationship. It clouds your judgment, keeps you from real intimacy, and undermines future trust. Whether you’ve already crossed the line or not, it’s never too late to hit reset and commit to honoring God in your relationship.
It’s Never Too Late to Hit Reset
Maybe you’ve met someone you think could be the one, and you’re already sleeping together. The Bible is clear that followers of Jesus are called to run from sexual sin, including sex before marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
The good news is that you don’t need a new relationship. You need a new commitment. God offers forgiveness and a fresh start to anyone who turns to him.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
You can read more in For the Guys Who Really Screwed Up.
Sex Clouds Your Judgment
Sex creates a powerful bond, even when the relationship isn’t healthy. It can make you feel close when you haven’t done the work of building real emotional and spiritual intimacy. When sex is part of a dating relationship, it’s easy to overlook red flags and harder to see each other clearly. When you take sex out of the picture, the fog lifts, and you can find out whether you’re really right for each other.
Waiting Shows Real Love
Saving sex for marriage proves you care about the other person’s heart, not just their body. Love puts the other person’s good ahead of your own desires.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
When you choose to wait, you show the person you’re dating that you value them enough to honor God and protect their future.
Waiting Builds Trust for Marriage
Marriage will bring its own temptations. Choosing purity now builds a track record of faithfulness and self-control, and it establishes you as someone your future spouse can trust.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Every choice to honor God today is an investment in the marriage you hope to have tomorrow.
The Takeaway
Sex before marriage clouds your judgment, undermines real intimacy, and weakens future trust. Whether you’ve already crossed the line or not, God offers forgiveness and a fresh start. Commit to honoring him in your relationship, starting today.
